New Volvo V60 Polestar revealed

V60 Polestar: the mental Volvo estate is back

By Tim Kendall | 26th November 2013

The new V60 Polestar – what is it?

Volvo has announced a new fast estate from its special ops division, Polestar. This here is the new Volvo V60 Polestar, which thanks to a 350hp punch and Haldex four-wheel drive, will rocket to the magic 60 in 4.9 seconds. It’s not quite the full Polestar nut-job – the 508hp monster that DrivingTalk hitched a ride in at Goodwood isn’t on full release. We’re talking a slightly toned down version without the £350k price tag…

The new V60 Polestar. Fast Volvo estates are back

Polestar is nothing new though is it?

Polestar tweaks have been done before, but this time it’s a bit more serious than the existing power upgrade available for the S60 and V60 T6. The new V60 Polestar retains the T6’s blown 3.0-litre straight-six unit, but gets a beefier twin-scroll turbo and bigger intercooler, along with a 2.5 inch exhaust, which Volvo alleges, packs a ‘throaty engine note’. The key numbers are 350hp/257 kW at 5700 rpm and 500 Nm/369 lb-ft at 2800 rpm.

Power is transmitted via Haldex four-wheel drive and a re-calibrated six-speed automatic ‘box, now with paddle-shift controls. The result, according to Volvo is an ‘active driving experience with maximum grip in all situations’.

Volvo V60 Polestar gets subtle badging. Colour less so….

Is the new V60 Polestar just a power upgrade?

This makeover does seem to be more than just a breathed on motor. Roadholding is dealt with by expensive sounding Öhlins dampers teamed with springs that are 80% stiffer than the R-Design it’s based on. The Polestar also sits on new 20-inch alloys, so those dampers better be good at soaking up the bumps. Stopping duties are taken care of by sizable 371mm vented brake discs and six-piston Brembo calipers at the front.

So how much and when?

If this hot Volvo estate tickles your fancy, you can buy one from June 2014. In the finest Volvo tradition, we’ll only get the V60 estate version of the Polestar, whilst other markets get the choice of a tweaked S60 saloon too. There’s currently no word from Volvo UK on the Polestar’s likely price, but given current V60 T6 pricing, expect something in the mid-forties.

The V60 Polestar gets some subtle interior tweaks

The 850 T5 legacy

If this all sounds a bit naughty for a Volvo estate, remember we’ve been here before in the 1990s with the original labrador worrier – the 850 T5 and T5-R. Evoking memories of a bygone era in which Volvo campaigned its wardrobe carriers in the British Touring Car Championship, it looks like the Swedish fetish for mental estate cars has reared its head again. About time too.